Records and a well-stocked pipeline

Dear reader 

Last year, Swiss start-ups collected a total of CHF 3.1 billion in venture capital – an increase of 44% on the previous year – and the number of financing rounds rose by 16.8% to 355. These impressive figures brought a series of records in various sectors, phases and cantons, as well as a strong increase in trade sales. And investors also set new records: our fund radar records 35 new funds. You can read all the results in detail in the 80-page Swiss Venture Capital Report, which as usual also contains the complete list of financing rounds.

Some of the good results were anticipated and the trends appear to be continuing. Medtech investments have soared over the past year, and this week Distalmotion, which is developing a novel surgical robot, announced it had closed a USD 90 million funding round.

However, other results were surprising; for example, the strong increase in seed rounds, which increased by 67% compared with 2020. The well-stocked pipeline gives reason to be optimistic about future developments. Also this week we reported on three seed investments – the sums that circulate in this early phase are remarkable: insurtech start-up Helvengo secured CHF 4.2 million, cybersecurity company Saporo CHF 2.5 million, and CHF 700,000 went to Alpentol with its platform for medical cannabis.

A reason for Switzerland’s strength in the early financing rounds is the numerous support offers. Saporo, for example, not only received an investment this week, but also a grant from the Vaud-based Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT). Biotech company Anjarium, which is among the top 20 financing rounds in the new venture capital report, has been awarded the Innosuisse certificate.

Venture Kick presented impressive annual results: the initiative distributed about CHF 5.5 million and 82 new projects were funded. All start-ups supported by Venture Kick together created 1,000 new jobs last year – more figures can be found in its annual report. This week, CHF 150,000 each went to Sensemodi and Galventa from Venture Kick.

ESA BIC Switzerland has added four new start-ups to its programme; they will benefit from an extensive support package, including up to EUR 200,000 in non-dilutive funding, technical and business support. Anyone wishing to apply for the next cohort should do so immediately.

Our report on the DayOne accelerator shows how support programmes can also bring foreign founders to Switzerland. And in Geneva, a collaboration between Fongit and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG) is improving the environment for start-ups.

I would also like to point out First Venture’s programme, which supports students at universities of applied sciences in implementing entrepreneurial projects. The next deadline is 1 February.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch